Issue 16-118: Consumer Price Index (CPI)

June 17, 2016

British Columbia’s consumer price index (CPI) climbed 1.7% (unadjusted) in May, compared to the same month of the previous year. This marks a slight decrease in the year-over-year rate of inflation since April, when it was 1.8%.

According to Statistics Canada, the overall annual inflation rate of 1.7% declines to 1.6% when food is excluded from the index, and increases to 2.3% when energy is excluded as well.

The overall cost of food rose by 2.5% since May of last year, with the cost of both groceries purchased from stores (+2.5%) and meals purchased from restaurants (+2.3%) increasing. The rise in grocery prices was mainly due to increases in the cost of fish and other seafood (+7.1%), fresh fruit (+3.9%), and meat (+3.3%). For consumers making their own caffeinated beverages, the cost of tea and coffee went down (-2.9%) since last May.

The cost of shelter (+1.1%) increased slightly in May, with costs for both renters (+0.9%) and home owners (+1.7%) going up. Within the shelter category, the cost of electricity increased (+4.1%) since May 2015, while the price of both piped gas (‑13.2%) and fuel oil and other fuel (-9.7%) fell.

The transportation index (+1.7%) increased since May of last year, with the cost of both private transportation (+1.3%) and public transportation (+3.8%) going up. Within the transportation category, the cost of gasoline fell (-8.6%) in May, marking the fourth consecutive month in which gasoline prices fell on a year-over-year basis.

The overall cost of clothing and footwear increased (+1.0%) in May, with the cost of both clothing (+0.3%) and footwear (+2.6%) going up.

Permanent link to page:

Help us improve gov.bc.ca

*Don't provide personal information . Comments will be sent to 'servicebc@gov.bc.ca'

Enter your email address if you would like a reply:

The information on this form is collected under the authority of Sections 26(c) and 27(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to help us assess and respond to your enquiry. Questions about the collection of information can be directed to the Manager of Corporate Web, Government Digital Experience Division.